Arbitration versus current system (ALP Sydney Conference)
If parties cannot reach agreement, then arbitration provides an outcome and a resolution to the impasse. But believe it or not, employers have vowed to fight a push to expand the scope for wage bargaining rounds to be decided through arbitration, saying it would encourage unions to hold out for higher pay and conditions. Changes to the ALP platform in Sydney paves the way for all workplace agreements to be required to include “last resort
“arbitration clauses, which would broaden the role of industrial umpire Fair Work Australia in settling work- place disputes. Former Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans said the new workplace relations platform adopted at the conference reflected” the priorities of the labour movement’ and that arbitration was a “live issue” for both employers and unions. Currently, arbitration can be triggered only in major disputes (Qantas) and only where Fair Work Australia rules there is risk of harm to the public or damage to the national economy. It is also possible for FWA to arbitrate a dispute if all parties agree and in the case of certain groups of low-paid workers who are deemed to have limited bargaining power. AMMA chief executive Steve Knott said his organisation would “fiercely oppose” arbitration. He said that arbitration would mean going back to the’ 70’s and ‘80’s model which failed. However, the ACTU argued that
the new ALP
platform would extend the ability of workers to bargain over job security, although it also refers to balancing the “needs of business” with creating and sustaining secure jobs. In summary “Labor will support the inclusion of genuine dispute resolution procedures in agreements to deal with those circumstances where such disputes cannot be resolved through discussion, conciliation or mediation”.
Michael Bakhaazi
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE & POWER ENGINEERS NEWCASTLE BRANCH SCHEDULED ELECTION ELECTION NOTICE
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 Nominations are called for:
Branch Secretary Branch President Branch Treasurer Ordinary Member of Federal Council(2)
Written nominations that comply with the rules of the organisation must reach me not later than 12 noon on Tuesday 24 April 2012. Nomination forms are available on request from my office or the Newcastle Branch Office.
Note: Under Rule 33B (xv) candidates may submit a resume not exceeding 300 words, for inclusion with the ballot paper. The resumes must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday 1 May 2012. Resumes should be submitted in Word format and emailed to
nswelections@aec.gov.au or posted in electronic format (CD) to the Returning Officer at AEC, PO Box 496 Haymarket, NSW 1239.
HOW TO LODGE NOMINATIONS
By Post: PO Box 496 Haymarket NSW 1239 By Fax:
By Hand: By Email: 02 9375 6336 (Nomination form only)
Australian Electoral Commission, Level 4 Roden Cutler House, 24 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
nswelections@aec.gov.au (Nomination form must be signed)
The ballot, if required, will open on Tuesday 22 May 2012 and close at 10:00am on Tuesday 3 July 2012.
NOTE: A copy of the AEC’s election report can be obtained from the Institute or from me after the completion of the election.
Changed address? Advise the Institute now.
Kathryn Montgomery Returning Officer Tel: 02 9375 6375
Michael Bakhaazi, Jay Weatherill, Premier SA, Allan Gibbons SA branch honorary secretary
AIMPE attended Clipsal 500 in Adelaide and met with the premiere of South Australia who was sympathetic and offered support on the attacks on marine engineers qualifications. The premiere said “it is not acceptable to reduce marine engineers qualifications from 36 months to 13 months for cadet engineers”.
On Watch March 2012 page 33
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